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WESTERN HEMISPHERE NATIONS COMMEMORATE COLUMBUS

The Western Hemisphere nations today recalled in stirring tributes the historic change for mankind, set in motion by Christopher Columbus’ history-changing voyage that landed him on October 12, 1492 on Guanahani island—part of what is now The Bahamas.

During a protocolary meeting of the Organization of American States’ (OAS) Permanent Council, to commemorate the 512th “Anniversary of the Discovery: Encounter of Two Worlds,” member state ambassadors highlighted numerous aspects of hemispheric progress linked to Columbus’ historic arrival in the New World. They hailed the strong relations between the Americas and Spain, which had sponsored the Columbus expedition.

The Permanent Council Chairman, Panama’s Ambassador Aristides Royo, led off the tributes, saying that the colonization begun by that voyage brought to the Americas technological, cultural and artistic contributions to what the pre-Columbian world already possessed. He said that, thanks to the resulting diversity, “this Organization (OAS) is nurtured on the vitality that different nations have brought to it as they are bonded by common ideals articulated in such important documents as the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter.

In her remarks on behalf of the Central American group, El Salvador’s Permanent Representative, Ambassador Abigail Castro de Pérez, underscored the need for the commemoration to focus on the real objective, scope, meaning and implications of the historical event that changed the course of history, “when our race entered the modern age.”

For his part, United States Ambassador John Maisto spoke about his country’s recognition of Columbus’ contributions, and read a Columbus Day Proclamation issued by President George W. Bush. “Today, Columbus’ voyages continue to stir our imagination and encourage us to explore new frontiers,” the Proclamation states.

Venezuela’s Interim Representative, Ambassador Nelson Pineda, called for a pro-active commitment to modernize the hemisphere’s nations and, underscoring the need for better recognition of indigenous peoples, urged the OAS to adopt by 2006 the Declaration being negotiated on the rights of indigenous peoples.


October 12, 1492 marked the beginning of a new stage of our civilization, OAS Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi remarked, noting that the new era of development had been inspired by a relentless quest for a “democratic and universalizing utopia.”

Spain’s Permanent Observer to the OAS, Ambassador Eduardo Gutiérrez Saenz de Buruaga recalled Columbus’ exploits, noting as well the role of Queen Isabel I of Castille, whom he called “a woman ahead of her time and an ardent defender of the rights of the peoples of the Americas.” Ambassador Gutiérrez applauded the OAS and its services to the nations of the Americas, highlighting its important role in promoting democracy and human rights.

The Permanent Council session was preceded by the traditional brief wreath-laying ceremony by the statue of Queen Isabel I of Castille, outside the OAS headquarters building in Washington.

Reference: E-183/04